Indigenous Restaurant

My wife and I did a date night here and really enjoyed ourselves. The staff was great and the food was top notch. The atmosphere is unique, the restaurant is in a converted house, so it has a fun charm about it. The menu is very limited, but that's a good thing in my opinion. Instead of having 50 - 100 mediocre things, they have like 15 perfect things. Some picky eaters might have trouble finding something, but if you are adventurous and willing to try new things, you won't be disappointed.

It was our first time in Sarasota, and we had an absolutely wonderful evening. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and everything felt just right. If you’re in Sarasota, I definitely recommend Secret gem. truly worth the visit.

a classic sarasota experience: flavorful, inviting, and oh so expensive! really easy to rack up a big bill here for food that is delicious but not exceptional — except for the mushroom soup. please buy that. kind and attentive staff.

Absolutely phenomenal. This experience is truly 5 star from start to finish. The quality of the food is outstanding and all of the dishes are so unique. The mushroom bisque was exceptional, but you really cannot go wrong with anything. Staff were kind, attentive, & knowledgeable. Very glad we made a stop here while in the area & highly recommend to anyone looking for an incredible meal.

One of the best dining experiences we have ever had. Restaurant is in a cute historic home. Food was unique and tasted amazing. We had a pear parmesan beneigh, seared tuna, pork chop, roasted potatoes and caramel ice cream (with crispy sweet potatoes on top). Apparently Bobby Flay eats here. So good. Highly recommend.

This is an outstanding restaurant! Service Excellent - Food - Even Better! You definitely should go here if you have not. Best dinner we’ve had in a very long time! Go and Enjoy!

An absolutely delicious restaurant with locally sourced ingredients, and a focus on sustainability. It really nourishes your soul to eat at a place like this where they are thinking about the environmental impact of their menu. The burger and the char were delicious. Even my 5-year-old niece was a fan! She has been asking to go back for the fish lol so Indigenous has elevated food, but enjoyed by even the more hesitant pallets among us :) The Parmesan Beignets were super unique, fresh, and fluffy. The perfect balance of savory and sweet. The service was good and the caramel ice cream was the perfect end to the experience. I definitely recommend.

Back again after our last visit a year ago and it was just as amazing. Our server Olivia was great! Very sweet and super easy to chat with. The food was just as good as I remember. Very happy we made it back and will plan more future visits! Thank you indigenous team!

All the food was fantastic - each ingredient complemented the others in each dish. The cobia in the tartare was highlighted by the thinly sliced cucumber, sesame, and seaweed. Parmesan beignets were light and airy, though a little greasier than expected. The finely diced pear went perfectly with the beignets. Tripletail was cooked perfectly stop a savory shrimp bisque-like cream. Pacing of the service was perfect, with our entrees coming out hot after we finished all our starters. The indoor seating space wasn't large, we were happy we got a four-top for the 2 of us. The patio area looked a bit more spacious, and elegant with lights and fans.

I had the best 30th birthday dinner at Indigenous! My family and I dined outside in early August on the patio. It wasn't too hot as they had a big standing fan near our table. Our server Matthew was extremely attentive and professional. He had much knowledge about the menu selections as he has been a server for over 10 years at this restaurant. The food was simply incredible. Everything was beyond fresh. The details of each dish were all transparently stated on the menu, offering peace of mind regarding seasonality, locality, and sustainability. I don't choose to eat seafood out often as it is difficult to find quality, but here I was confident in the sourcing. I highly recommend the ahi tuna gazpacho if you can get it. The flavor profile was so rich yet light. The different textures were perfectly contrasting. My sister ordered the sea bass which was equally as divine, and my husband's pork chop dish was beautifully done. One critique on the Parmesan beignets - these felt more sweet than salty. I felt they were missing a hefty sprinkle of flaky sea salt or something. The green salad was just basic enough, while being elevated and unique. The truffle mushroom soup had to have been the table favorite. Papaya sorbet was a refreshing closer. The little flowers on top made me smile. Crisp New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was the perfect zingy, dry and fruity pairing for the fish dishes we enjoyed. It's no wonder this place has been open 15 years. I hope they have continued success. Cheers to the chef.

Second time back at this wonderful little restaurant. I say little but it's actually bigger than it looks with a small 'shed' like building in the back that has a cute bar area and some tables inside. This time around, we ordered a very lovely rose called Summer in a bottle. We had the beignets for our appetizer and it was light and fluffy and yummy! For our main meals, I was happy to see a lovely vegetarian option of lentil and mushroom bologenese with pappardelle and my husband had the Kanpachi with Congoree & Penn middlins. Both were wonderful and our waitstaff was lovely giving us some history on the restaurant and how the chef is focused on sustainability and some future plans. For dessert we had the chocolate torte which was in the shape of a cupcake and a perfect way to end our night here.

Excellent service, great food at reasonable prices. Great ambience. Wonderful, thoughtful and creative menu selections.

Had dinner with friends last night in the room with the bar. Very nice setting and cozy. The roasted mushrooms were cold, the Artic char was warm, and the halibut was not very firm. The Parmesan beignets were good but salty and the burger was very good. Our service with Katie was very spotty Overall not a great experience.

Such a cute charming spot ! Not on the water but In a quiet neighborhood. The wine selection was extensive and their menu changes seasonally. The service was good and the vibes are just 10/10.

Hello Our friends recommended, we came tonight , our 42 Anniversary. I even added that to our reservations . We even came earlier in the day to see if they had earlier dinner times than 7:45, but they did not. The mushroom soup was delicious as well as salad ; burger and fish sandwich ok. Little disappointing , not a cheap dinner .....

Restaurant is in a residential area so does sneak up on you a little bit! I loved that it was an old home--it felt like I was eating dinner in my kitchen! We were seated by the kitchen so could see them cooking. The service was fine, waiter probably could have checked in on us a little more and been bit quicker but overall, was good. We did the pear beignets for apps since they are a staple. They were good but nothing incredible. BUT, the pork chop was incredible. The crust was almost like a crème brûlée topping and went so well with the flavors and added nice crunch. We also go the kanpachi fish and felt the flavors of Brussels sprouts and purple sweet potato paired perfectly with it. Overall, I would 100% recommend an evening here and would totally come back!

One of the best restaurants in the world. I visit Sarasota once a year and always look forward to dining here. The seafood dishes are consistently exceptional. This time, I had the arctic char, which was phenomenal--perfectly cooked and paired beautifully with a potato latke, beets, and an apple-arugula salad. What I love is that each fish dish is always unique and thoughtfully composed. The appetizers were also outstanding--the pickled peppers were sensational, and the roasted mushrooms were packed with flavor. For dessert, we couldn't choose just one, so we ordered all four. Each was fantastic. The orange creamsicle ice cream and cantaloupe sherbet were refreshingly unique, while the citrus olive oil cake and dark chocolate torte were absolutely divine. Our server, Cathryn (sp?), was outstanding and made the evening even more enjoyable.

Entries were excellent. Service was good. Ambiance was great. Very inviting with a rotating menu. Lovely atmosphere.

Ambiance was amazing Food was awesome staff was attentive, enjoy the evening Parking lot are easy access.

We haven't dined at Indifenous since 2020, but the food , service and overall ambiance still stands up to the test. The only issue is what to order - limited menu, but all super dishes. Maybe only note would be having a chicken or beef / steak dish on the menu, but the seafood is excellent and innovative.

I love to dine at local restaurants that have been nominated for James Beard Best Chef awards. Indigenous is the only Sarasota restaurant to receive recent recognition. Indigenous has a limited menu, with a heavy focus on seafood. The restaurant's name emphasizes its locally sourced meats, seafood and ingredients. When I made my reservation, they only seat solo parties at the bar. Gary, the bartender and server took good care of me. The downside is I stared at wine bottles and beer in the refrig all night. When you read reviews on Yelp, the two menu items you must order are the Wild Mushroom Bisque, which is heavenly, and the Parmesan Beignets, which are super yummy. They are served with local honey and pears. Amazing! Gary said the Cheshire Pork Chop was his favorite, so that supported my choice. Loved the caramelized brown sugar. What was missing was the buzz or energy that I find at great restaurants. Some of that is created by guests, some by the staff. The bar dining area lacked that.

This was the best meal we have had in a while. We started with the mushrooms and green curry fish dip. Both were great but the mushrooms were the dish of the night. We also shared the scallops and beef pappardelle. The scallops came with potatoes that were cooked perfectly and complemented the scallops well. The pasta was also tasty. Our server made great wine recommendations. The restaurant had a cool vibe being that it was a house that was converted into a restaurant. If you're in Sarasota, Indigenous is a must try.

We have been visiting Sarasota for many years and can't believe we have not been here. It is my favorite restaurant in Sarasota The food was great We had a party of 5 We started with the Parmesan beignets Ordered the smash burger loved the pickled vegetables they served with it Had the nightly short rib special , scallops which had 6 and was very filling and rich could not finish The lemon thyme tart was very good but would have liked it a pinch tarter not as sweet

Awesome spot, highly recommend! Everything about our meal was perfect! I loved the ambiance and atmosphere, very farm to table/neighbor gem type of place. We basically ordered the entire menu! The staff was very friendly tooX The Parmesan beignets were very light/fluffy, and very tasty with the local honey and thyme. The wild mushroom bisque was a definite favorite. Lots of flavor! Snapper crudo: was a nice, light, perfect summer dish. The baked scallops: very unique flavor. I loved the combination with the braised potatoes and Parmesan. The iberico pork chop was huge and very flavorful, full bacon flavor. The Kanpachi had a very unique flavor profile to it, very green and summer like. For dessert: the pickled Florida blueberries dish was outstanding. Loved the combination with the lemon cheesecake and shortbread. The orange blossom honey pie was good too. I needed a nap after this meal. But seriously, everything was incredible!

Fantastic food, outstanding experience, great service with a delightful atmosphere! A perfect restaurant experience. Our out-of-town guests raved about this place. The mushroom soup, a staple on the otherwise always changing menu, is a must try! Love the way the restaurant is tucked into a house in a neighborhood, very homey feeling!

We had a wonderful dining experience here last month. The restaurant is very small and intimate located in a renovated house. They do have outdoor seating as well as street parking and paid parking in the lot across the street. The things that we felt stood out as fantastic that I would recommend would be: The mushroom bisque (not gluten-free) The pork chop (gluten-free) The gelato/ ice cream ( the topper on it is not gluten-free). The pork chop may or may not still be on the menu because the menu changes weekly, but holy cow, that was one of thee best pork chops I have ever had and the potato and Brussel sprouts hash that it came with was perfection. The pork chop was so tender and easy to cut. I drove all the way from Tampa for it, and I was not disappointed. I would highly recommend this restaurant dining here was a 5/5.

One of the best restaurants in Sarasota. Amazing New American cuisine with incredible elevation of classic flavors Pros - fast and friendly service. The wild mushroom bisque is mind-blowing and packed with flavor. The Iberico pork chop is hands down the best pork chop I have ever had. They place a thin layer of crispy caramelized sugar over the pork that mimics a creme brulee and it pairs so well with the fattiness of the pork belly Cons - none! Definitely make a reservation at this place. Their cooking skills and ingenuity of flavor combinations is absolutely worth it.

It's a really lovely restaurant. The food was pretty good. The service was excellent. Unfortunately they only offer wine and beer. I would say it's a nice place to have dinner, but it's a bit overpriced. But I will go back again!

Dear Indigenous Sarasota Team, I hope this message finds you well. My fiancé and I dined at your restaurant last Friday evening, December 6th. This visit was something my partner had been eagerly anticipating for over a year, and we were excited to experience the highly regarded cuisine and atmosphere. Unfortunately, our experience fell far short of expectations, and I wanted to provide feedback with the hope it might be helpful for your team. We were seated as the final table of the evening at 8:15 PM and started with the Lemon Pickled Shrimp. Unfortunately, the shrimp were overwhelmed by an excessively strong citrus flavor, which masked the intended balance of the dish. The accompanying chips, however, were fresh and enjoyable. Next, we tried the Roasted Mushrooms. Regrettably, the mushrooms were cut too finely and served in a manner that made them soggy and unappealing. This preparation detracted significantly from the dish. When our entrees arrived, the issues persisted. My fiancé ordered the recommended salmon, which was overly salted to the point of being inedible. I chose the Beef Pappardelle, which had promising elements like the noodles but was marred by the addition of raw panko and a presentation that felt unrefined. Throughout the meal, our server did not check in to ask how we were enjoying the food, nor were we offered the option to take any leftovers home. This lack of engagement added to our disappointment, as it felt like there was little care for the guest experience. We left In total, we had only a few bites of our meal, which came to over $240. While we appreciate the effort that goes into your menu, the overall experience left us deeply disheartened. When we shared a brief review on OpenTable, the response we received from your team, "We will be sure to keep an eye out for you, and share this with all the restaurants in town," felt unprofessional and dismissive. Constructive feedback should be an opportunity for growth, not a reason for retaliation. We wanted to share this feedback not out of malice, but in the hope that it can be used to enhance future guest experiences. We admire the vision behind your restaurant and hope that with some attention to these areas, others can have the exceptional dining experience we had anticipated. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sincerely, AJ

Wouldn't & wont recommend. Our waiter was bit of a d!ck. Food was avg at best. Pork chop was dry, over cooked. Triple tail was fishy and old. Wine & dessert was the only saving grace. But they didn't make the wine. See managements response in image to reviews of poor service by them.

Food was very good. Outdoor table on the porch provided nice ambiance. I'd certainly recommend to others.

We received a gift certificate for this restaurant for Christmas. We live in Venice which is 30 miles from the restaurant. We made reservations for 5:30pm. It must be noted that you have to give them a credit card number when you make the reservation. FIRST NEGATIVE. Because it was rush hour and traffic unprintable, we ended up arriving at the restaurant at 5:05pm hoping to have a glass of wine before dinner. Restaurant opens at 5:30 -- no wine served and no restaurants nearby to sit inside and wait. We sat outside in the 90 degree heat. SECOND NEGATIVE. Finally seated at exactly 5:30pm. Ordered a glass of Malbec apiece and it was excellent. BUT, $16 per glass. THIRD NEGATIVE. We sipped some then ordered about 5:37. Sat drinking wine. Finally asked if any bread was to be served. Answer: No, we don't do that. FOURTH NEGATIVE. Our food finally arrived a few minutes after 6. I had the burger. It was OK but, not $25 worth of OK. My partner had Eggplant. It was dry and not enhanced at all by the sauce. Her comment: tastes like something could get at the takeout at Whole Foods. FIFTH NEGATIVE. Bill arrived and was $97.

Always delicious and lovely atmosphere! The mushroom soup is so yummy. And really enjoyed the branzino last time

The food was fresh and the flavors were perfection! The sustainable aspect of the selection was inspirational! The Cobia entree was fabulous with so many fresh flavors and Latin influences. The home made turmeric noni chips were amazing and the chi biscotti was the best home made biscotti I have ever tasted! The gluten free options were greatly appreciated! Love the entire experience! Our server was wonderful, attentive and full of information and great suggestions! Ambiance was lovely, a personalized experience with a feeling of privacy and connection to the kitchen!

Our server was wonderful. She was very attentive and well versed in the menu. She was also super nice. She was the highlight of our evening for sure. We've been here several times. Use to be our favorite restaurant but ever since Covid it's not the same anymore. I love small menus. Means everything is super fresh but their menu is too small. Not many options. We began with the chimichurri shrimp. It was ceviche. Shrimp were decent, however, the chimichurri didn't go well with the shrimp. Wasn't your traditional chimichurri. The buttermilk gelee was tasteless. Wasn't impressed. We both had the snapper special. The fish were both overcooked. The potatoes were underdone and so were the onions and mushrooms. The onions were practically raw. We skipped dessert. Oddly, it was the first time we had eaten there and their owner/chef wasn't cooking. Maybe that's why they had an off night. I know he has another project that he's working on. We want to give this place another try but not sure if we will. Past few times haven't been great. It's sad. This was the spot to go to. Not sure it is anymore.

We had reservations here at 6pm on a Thursday. The whole experience was nothing short of excellent. The restaurant is located in a neighborhood with sparse parking; so get there a few minutes early just in case. We were sat in the back room which was cozy; consisting of 4 tables and a few bar seats. I didn't look at the other sections in the restaurant. However, I did walk through the outside seating which was perfectly charming. My son and I split the Cheshire Pork Chop which was topped with a caramelized brown sugar over a bed of potato, broccoli, and bacon hash. For dessert, the table split the Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and the Cardamom Panna Cotta. The ice cream was very good; if a little standard. The Cardamom Panna Cotta was truly excellent with a very unique ginger granola mixed with caramelized apple pieces. Our server was very kind and attentive. If anything, I would say that the food took a while to be prepared. However, the wait is definitely worth it.

Sad that I didn't get a photo of our dinner before we started eating ! The plates came out quick and the food was fresh. I got the pork chop and my partner got the burger, both were great choices! I found the pork chop to be some of the best I've had, paired with a delicious broccolini side. The ambiance is cozy and quiet, easy to have a conversation. We were sat in the back cottage. We will be back!

Make sure you make reservations or get ready to wait quite a while. Very quaint ambience. The food is excellent. The mushroom soup is a must. I will be back.

One of the all around best dining experiences I've ever had! This chef compares favorably to some of my best meals in SF, DC, and NY. Each dish was so complex and well balanced. My group had roasted wild mushroom appetizer (I'm a great wild mushroom home chef but these were clearly at another level.) After tasting the mushroom bisque I understand why it's a signature dish. My scallops were delicious as was the cobia and the New Zealand salmon. I think my husband's Papardelle with beef was better than any I've had anywhere! Had to try dessert too. White chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream with caramel and apple chips was perfect for me. All in all, although pricey, very reasonably priced for the quality and style.

Indigenous is a hidden gem! The menu is always changing and the food is always phenomenal! The owner is friendly and takes pride.

Every bite of food was perfect. Service was a 10/10. We love it. The fish was the best any of us has had in a long time. The apps were perfect and the burger was perfection.

https://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/793444?shareReferrer=ios-share I visited Indigenous in July. I've been processing my experience since then hence the delay in my submission. After discussion with my family, it solidified how poorly I was treated and the need to make others aware. I have a health condition that limits my food choices. There were only 5 entrees on the menu none of which could accommodate my dietary restrictions. I asked to make a modification to the most suitable dish. Our server rudely and in a very intimidating manner refused. I shared my experience on open table. Please see above what I wrote and the restaurant's response. It was beyond shocking.

Three things we liked about Indigenous: 1. The service was great. Our waitress (I think her name was Katie) was attentive & very polite. 2. They offer many gluten-free options! 3. The atmosphere is unique. It's basically an old converted house. We had a table inside &, while the table was small, we enjoyed the intimate vibe. Three opportunities for Indigenous: 1. The fish dip. Wow, it was THE saltiest thing I've tasted in awhile. I love salt, but this was WAY too much. We couldn't even taste the fish. It tasted like a salt block. We did, however, like the crudités they served with it. 2. The falafel. It wasn't falafel but more like undercooked veggie burger meatballs. I understand & appreciate culinary creativity, but this dish misses the mark. I do not recommend. 3. The burger. It was OKAY - a little boring, to be honest. I really wanted to love this place, but I left unimpressed. We may give it another shot, but it won't be anytime soon.

This place is incredible! We had a group of four, ordered two appetizers, five entrees and two desserts plus cappuccinos - It made us say "ugh, life is gooooood!" After we scrapped our plates clean! would recommend this place over and over!

This is a very generous 3 stars. I was so excited to try this place but maybe my expectations were too high. I was going to go 2 stars but the rest of my party enjoyed their meals so I'll give credit for that. Mother's birthday. Chose here because they have everything. Meat, seafood, vegetarian, gluten free and a beautiful restaurant. Strike one: my mother has to watch what she eats but she really liked the swordfish with the green bbq and zucchini and eggplant. She can't have the tartar sauce or bbq sauce though, so she asked for it on the side. They wouldn't do it. She asked for it without the sauces. They wouldn't do it. Nothing on their website or menu says they don't do changes or substitutions. And we told the server it was her birthday. But fine. Maybe we missed the warning. The really stupid thing is that they would (and did) make her just a pan seared swordfish with potatoes. Literally the exact things she asked for when she asked for the sauces on the side or left off, the only difference being the lack of veggies. Really? Really? You won't do subs or changes but you do the exact same thing anyway but without the zucchini and eggplant? How stupid is that? Second strike: they're obviously very proud of their menu based on the no changes rule. But I did get the swordfish as it comes and it was bland. Had to add salt and pepper just to get some flavor. Admittedly, the tartar sauce helped but the green bbq sauce? Nothing to it. Didn't add anything to the dish. Very disappointing. Final strike was the check. My mom and brother both got iced tea. While it may not be the end of the world, $5 each for iced tea is obnoxious. On the positive side, service was generally good though it did take her a while to take our order and the kitchen was horribly slow (4th strike I guess). Entrees took about 30 minutes to come out. But otherwise, service was good and she was clearly embarrassed by the substation and changes rule. Also, my mom happened to like her plain swordfish and potatoes. My brother enjoyed his scallops and shrimp but (5th strike) the braised potatoes weren't even fingerling potatoes or if they were, they were the smallest ones ever put in a dish. He got 4 half tiny potatoes. They looked like those baby onions you see sometimes. He couldn't even find them until the server pointed them out. Anyway, mom and brother liked their meals in spite of the issues so I'll give them a generous 3 stars, but I see no reason to come back.

While the food was good and service solid, the atmosphere was boring and lacked soul. The menu is is focused on seafood. The restaurant only serves beer and wine; overall the bottle wine selection was good. We choose a nice bottle from Oregon. The Cobia appetizer was tasty and a highlight of the meal. We were celebrating a special occasion and while it was acknowledged, nothing else? We often dine with friends so no plans to return, much better options in the area. Cheers!

We, a party of 5, were seated right in side the door on the closed in porch. Very odd table placement, the tables didn't align, there were no lights (read menu with phone flaslights) and had the indoor to outdoor and outdoor traffic walking by us all evening. The service was a bit less than attentive and the gas station attendant looking uniforms is an odd look. 5 people, 5 different meals. 1 thing in common - no seasoning to speak off. The bisque was very good. The scallops were very good. The pork chop was huge and well cooked. The hamburger was good but the sides weren't seasoned at all and there wasn't salt or pepper around and no staff around to ask. The vegan meal was a small portion that lacked flavor. For the costs the value wasn't there, the service didn't add value, seating location subtracted value, the lack of lighting was brutal. Maybe an off night, but I am thinking it wasnt.

Creative dishes with excellent, complex flavors. There is a lot of attention to detail. These are not simple dishes. Our favorites were the pork chop and mahi mahi. I've never had a pork chop cooked so perfectly before. We'll definitely be back in fall or winter. In the summer it gets pretty hot in the front enclosed room. Perhaps you can ask for a different table if you have any conditions making you sensitive to heat with no breeze. Must also point out that the wait staff were attentive and friendly.

This place is so welcoming and the service was great. All the servers were very nice, I felt like a true guest at someone's home. The food is unique and amazing. We had the Pork chops, Fish with pistachio, and a soup appetizer and scallops. All so good.

always loved it here ...but recent visit was disappointed with burger (used to be magical!) server & staff were great

The Chef gets a 1 star. I like that the menu changes weekly. I was very cautious to make sure I checked the menu early in the week of our reservation to make sure there was something I could eat. I have several food allergies. I found a pork chop that only needed to have the sauce not served. I thought that would be an easy request. At first, the chef refused to serve the pork chop without his hollandaise sauce. I'm sure it would have made the pork chop that much more special, but I can't eat eggs without being really sick. Our server really went to bat for me. I was told he'd accommodate me this one time, but to not come back. I recognize that as a chef he is creating masters of art. But give me a break, to not accommodate a food allergy? All five or so menu items included ingredients I'm allergic to. Trust me, we will not be back. There are so many nice restaurants in Sarasota that would have served the pork chop without a sauce. Geeesh.

What a little gem! Housed in a small home in the historical district of Sarasota, how do they produce such delectable farm-to-table food? Menu changes weekly. Whatever is fresh is on the menu. Great service out of a tiny kitchen. Parmesan beignets to start followed by mushroom soup with truffle croutons (to die for), Cobia whitefish (I had the raw appetizer but they cook it also). Swordfish with perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts was shared by all and sunny Shrimp in lemony goodness. See photos for inspiration and be sure to reserve a spot!

For my money, right now in Sarasota there is no better place to eat than Indigenous. Order anything- its going to be great. Make a reservation, you're going to need it. And be patient and alive to the experience because it's special. In fact, the last night I dined at Indigenous I was sitting at the bar in the back. We had a glimpse of the kitchen and just happened to spot Bobby Flay, the celebrity chef, who appeared to be getting a cooking lesson from the chef at this restaurant. That's how good this place is........I hope that Bobby learned a thing or two.

Food and service was good. Prices were a little high. ESpecially the wine by the class price. Lowest cost was 17$ a glass.

Indigenous is a hidden gem. We've been coming to Sarasota a couple of times every year for a few years now and I can't believe we've never eaten here. Both the outdoor and indoor seating are very cute. It's basically a little house that was turned into a restaurant. This place has a small menu which focuses on fresh, in season, sustainably sourced ingredients. We almost managed to try everything on the menu in the 2 times we ate here within the week and every single dish was perfect. From the appetizers - The Parmesan beignets are a MUST. The mushroom garlic toast, the pickled peppers, the mushroom bisque, and the cobia crudo were all so good as well and I'd have trouble leaving any of them out. The portions aren't huge so you can order 3-4 starters for a group of 4 and be okay. For dinner, my wife and I both had the cobia lo mein dish which was awesome. We also tried the flounder, the baked shrimp and scallops, the pork chop, and the mushroom pappardelle - every single one delicious. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on this menu. Our waitress Katie and the rest of the service was attentive and provided great food/wine recommendations. An absolute must try if you're looking to be on the adventurous side instead of sticking to the typical steak and seafood restaurant in Sarasota.

Wow! We are visiting friends who live near Sarasota. As foodies we often frown about going to someplace in a tourist center. That frown turned into the biggest smile ever! We were wowed from the first nibble of their green curried fish paste. We swooned over our entrees! We might have to fly back to Sarasota just to enjoy another great meal, with super service at Indigenous!

We had a wonderful evening! Very nice comfortable atmosphere. Service was excellent (thanks Katie :-). Wine and beer were great. Overall, the food was very good, unique and interesting, perfectly cooked. However, I took off a star because we found it to lean a little too salty. The smoked fish appetizer was delicious, perhaps salty by definition, but it was served with vegetables that had been dipped in brine so they were also salty. A salty dip would best be served with unsalted crackers and vegetables. The scallops had Parmesan breadcrumb topping, which was salty from the cheese, but I think the scallops were also cooked in salted butter which made the whole dish too salty. I tend to eat minimal salt but my friends eat salt pretty freely, and they also thought the scallops were too salty. With less salt the dish will be perfect :-) overall we enjoyed it very much and will be back!